Szoboszlai Starts Brawl Then Runs Away to Fix His Hair

Dominik Szoboszlai helped start a mass confrontation during Hungary’s defeat to Ukraine before leaving his teammates behind to finish fixing his hair.

The Liverpool midfielder was captaining Hungary in their opening Nations League match at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Friday evening.

Ukraine led through Danylo Sikan’s first-half header when the match descended into chaos during stoppage time.

Oleksandr Nazarenko received a second yellow card following a late challenge on Hungary’s Rajmund Toth, creating the usual gathering of players waiting to explain the incident by pushing one another.

Szoboszlai was already tying back his hair when he shoved Ukraine winger Viktor Tsygankov to the ground.

Having made his contribution, the midfielder immediately jogged away from the confrontation while continuing to arrange his hair.

Milos Kerkez was less interested in personal grooming. Szoboszlai’s Liverpool teammate joined the dispute and knocked Mykola Matviyenko over, encouraging several more players from both sides to become involved near the touchline.

Objects were also thrown from the crowd as the confrontation continued without the man who had provided one of its most important early pushes.

Referee Jarred Gillett eventually booked Szoboszlai, Kerkez, Tsygankov and Matviyenko. Nazarenko’s dismissal left Ukraine with ten men for the remaining moments.

Ukraine nevertheless held on to secure a 1-0 victory, leaving Hungary without a goal or a point from their opening match.

Szoboszlai therefore finished the evening with a defeat, a yellow card and a brief role in an international brawl.

His hair, at least, survived stoppage time in excellent condition.